If England ever pick Giles again in a test match it will be a joke. Why is Giles in as a bowling allrounder? First of all he isn't a bowler, and 2nd of all he makes 20 with the bat, at best. What do England really want? A number 8 who can score 20 odd runs and take 1 wicket for a thousand, or a bowler who will at least threaten the batsman.

I find it ironic that Giles dropped the 2nd test, when he was in the side ahead of Panesar for his batting and fielding. Duck and dropped catch. Great going Giles - enjoy stirring the drinks for the rest of the series.

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Given the fact that Flintoff was struggling quite obviously with his ankle in the past 2 days i doubt whether it's in Englands best interests to revert back to a 4 bowler attack. Vaughan and Pietersen may be able to provide a few overs of back-up spin, but theres far more chance of a 5th bowler taking wickets. Add to that the fact that their batting is clearly in far better shape than their bowling.

Originally Posted by Jono

Mitch Johnson is ****ing awesome for cricket.

Originally Posted by pasag

Ponting's ability to ton up in the first innings of a series should not be understated. So much pressure, so important. What a great!

Given the fact that Flintoff was struggling quite obviously with his ankle in the past 2 days i doubt whether it's in Englands best interests to revert back to a 4 bowler attack. Vaughan and Pietersen may be able to provide a few overs of back-up spin, but theres far more chance of a 5th bowler taking wickets. Add to that the fact that their batting is clearly in far better shape than their bowling.

There is another 2 weeks until the next test. Flintoff should be right by then. Collingwood could be used more. They have Hoggard to bowl 45 overs in a day so I don't see a problem with a 4 man main attack, especially given Panesar should have more of an impact than the bowling machine Giles.

Jones, Giles and Anderson out...Read, Panesar and Mahmood in...quite simple really. Vaughan not to play until the SCG.

For Australia, I'd say only Clark and Warne should be safe, they should seriously consider playing Johnson and MacGill and never again trust Glenn McGrath on his word regarding his fitness. Watson in for Martyn as well, to facilitate MacGill.

I don't think Giles should ever play for England again. His record is going from deeply average to woeful, and he simply does not appear to be good enough to justify a slot, not when there is a guy who's started his career in the way Paneser has in the wings. I'd like to take a four man attack and drop Flintoff down to 7, but with a newbie like Paneser, Harmison's ongoing form, and the question mark over Flintoff's fitness, I have to concede that a five man attack is probably necessary. Collingwood, Bell and Pieterson are in some form, but the batting is fragile. Strauss got a bad call today but badly needs to stand up.

The captaincy seems to have had a bad effect on Flintoff's batting, but he's bowling great when he's able to.

Originally Posted by Irfan

We may not like you, your filthy rich coffers or your ratbag scum of supporters but by god do we respect you as a football team

IMO Flintoff isn't a good enough batsman to bat at 6, especially not in Australia. If Vaughan is walking he should be playing IMO. He is a batsman who the Australian's fear and he can pile on big runs and he could take a massive load of Flintoff's shoulders. Flintoff looked great for the first 4 days of the test match, but you could see how much he was hurt today, almost carrying the loss himself.

Doesn't really matter IMO. I get the feeling Vaughan prefers to open and only dropped down for team balance so Strauss could open. If Vaughan is playing IMO it has to be at the top of the order and as captain. He needs to lead from the front.